Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN: 0953-4814
Article publication date: 13 March 2020
Issue publication date: 22 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Studies show that employability is fast becoming a significant subject when managing contemporary careers. Indeed, employee networking is a prerequisite for career success, but the literature lacks findings regarding the impact of networking on employability. Meanwhile, network organizations in the knowledge economy are gaining popularity and bringing rise to the number of knowledge workers in the labor force. The purpose of this paper is to show the impact of employee networking competence on the employability of knowledge workers, particularly in the wider context of network organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to verify our theoretical model, data was collected among a controlled sample of 1189 knowledge workers using a Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) surveying technique. Our model was verified through a series of structural equation models (SEM).
Findings
Results show positive effects of network organizations and knowledge work on the networking competence of knowledge workers. The employability of knowledge workers does not just increase as these workers perform high-quality knowledge work. In order for employability to rise, knowledge workers must also exhibit networking competence. However, our study findings show that networking competence plays only a mediating role in the employability of knowledge workers.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the employability of knowledge workers in network organizations, which is an increasingly important concept for contemporary management. The paper contributes to the literature through its furthering of network and career management theories.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Research project funded by the National Science Center, Poland under grant no. 2015/17/B/HS4/02039
Citation
Fryczyńska, M. and Ciecierski, C. (2020), "Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 349-365. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-09-2019-0284
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited